Overview
- Pickens told reporters the negative attention is "starting to get kinda old" and said he is focused on playing, following a deleted social-media post aimed at Richard Sherman.
- Over the last two games he has eight catches for 70 yards, which he and coaches attributed to increased double coverage rather than lack of effort.
- He still leads Dallas with career highs of 81 receptions, 1,212 yards and eight touchdowns in his first season after a March trade from Pittsburgh.
- Jerry Jones has indicated he wants Pickens to stay, and multiple beat reports now forecast the Cowboys will retain him with a franchise tag if a long-term deal is not completed.
- The Athletic's Jon Machota pointed to a likely tag given negotiations with agent David Mulugheta, with reporting noting a March 3 deadline to designate franchise players.